The Final Six by Alexandra Monir – Review & Giveway
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Description:
When Leo, an Italian championship swimmer, and Naomi, a science genius from California, are two of the twenty-four teens drafted into the International Space Training Camp, their lives are forever altered. After erratic climate change has made Earth a dangerous place to live, the fate of the population rests on the shoulders of the final six who will be scouting a new planet. Intense training, global scrutiny, and cutthroat opponents are only a few of the hurdles the contestants must endure in this competition.
For Leo, the prospect of traveling to Europa—Jupiter’s moon—to help resettle humankind is just the sense of purpose he’s been yearning for since losing his entire family in the flooding of Rome. Naomi, after learning of a similar space mission that mysteriously failed, suspects the ISTC isn’t being up front with them about what’s at risk.
As the race to the final six advances, the tests get more challenging—even deadly. With pressure mounting, Naomi finds an unexpected friend in Leo, and the two grow closer with each mind-boggling experience they encounter. But it’s only when the finalists become fewer and their destinies grow nearer that the two can fathom the full weight of everything at stake: the world, the stars, and their lives.
Review:
The Final Six by Alexandra Monir, which is the first book in an unnamed YA SciFi/Dystopian series/trilogy. Having read Monir before, she writes YA very well, and I looked forward the reading this new one. I am happy to say I loved The Final Six, and will wait impatiently for the next book.
In The Final Six, Earth is going through terrible climate change with the sea rising (tsunami’s) to dangerous and death defying heights. The world as we know it is slowly dying, with cities throughout the world going under water, and with little hope of survival. The International Space Committee has devised a desperation plan to send the most talented 16-18 years old young adults to Europa (Jupiter planet) to find a new habitual planet to send survivors to live before Earth is totally destroyed. The plan is to quickly send 24 of the chosen ones to America’s Space center to quickly train them, and then pick the final six to go to Europa.
Right from the start, we meet Leo (a champion swimmer), who lives in Rome, and watched his whole family drown in the devastation that flooded his city. Leo is despondent, and just about ready to kill himself, when he sees the announcement of the 24 chosen ones is about to be revealed. He decides to go watch, hoping someone he knows will become part of this. To his shock, his name is called and he is thrilled to be one of those to help find a solution to the world’s troubles.
Naomi Ardalan, is an American Science genius, who is also one of the chosen 24. Naomi is the opposite of Leo, she is very unhappy to have been chosen, as she does not want to leave her family, especially her younger brother, whom she helps take care of.
Naomi and Leo will become friends, and eventually find themselves falling for each other. This is not really a romance at this point, but it has started and they become even closer nearer to the end. They both will work together, as Naomi suspects that something is not right, and she uses her hacking ability and other skills to delve into the truth. Leo wants to protect and help Naomi, but he is also determined to be one of the final six. There are a number of twists and turns, especially as we get closer to the end.
What follows is an in-depth look at the overall competition, as all participants have to go through so many mind boggling situations to train them on space travel and surviving on a foreign planet. I loved everything about the complex completion, even if I am not really a Sci Fi buff. Leo and Naomi were great heroes, and I did like a number of the other secondary characters. Of course, there are a couple of villains that we know to watch out for. Will Leo and Naomi be part of the final six? Will Naomi be able to find out the truth behind this mission?
The Final Six was a wonderful story line that kept our attention throughout. I am amazed at the writing by Monir, especially with all the sci fi details. I will not give spoilers, as you need to read this to enjoy everything. But I will say there are some amazing surprises at the end, and of course, the dreaded cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, but I will be there when Monir gives us the next book. If you enjoy YA dystopian, Sci Fi, competition, great characters, mystery, and at little romance, I suggest to read this book.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by publicist
Alexandra Monir is the Iranian-American author of the upcoming YA sci-fi novel The Final Six, the best-selling time-travel romance Timeless, and three other young adult novels. She is also a professional recording artist and composer. Alexandra lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and newborn son, where she is at work on her next novel. To learn more about Alexandra, visit her online at www.alexandramonir.com.
Alexandra is graciously is graciously offering a paper copy of THE FINAL SIX to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe
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